Page 15 of Foreplay on Words

“You didn’t.”

“Okay.” She didn’t look so certain, a small frown flickering across her lips.

“I’m not the best at this.”

“What ‘this’ are you referring to?” Her voice sounded equal parts amused and curious.

“This,” I said, gesturing my hand between the two of us.

“Talking? You seem to be doing fine to me.”

“Not talking exactly. Banter, witty conversation. I usually end up saying something embarrassing.” Or staring and not saying anything at all, then berating myself for being so damn awkward.

“I thought I had the market cornered on that one,” she giggled. “Remember that nonexistent filter?”

I liked talking to her. She didn’t seem to have an agenda. It also helped that she was a little self-deprecating. I could relate to that.

Turning toward the house, I started walking, Chase falling into step a few feet to my side.

“So, what are we having?”

I shrugged, my mind trying to concentrate on the vegetables in my refrigerator, not the sexy woman following me back into my house that suddenly felt too small. “What are you in the mood for tonight? Anything in particular you like? What are you craving? Is there something that’d make your mouth water?”

She arched an eyebrow, tilting her head to the side as she responded. “You ask loaded questions. I don’t think you’re ready to hear my answers.”

“I’m just talking about food, Chase. Although I think your overactive imagination may be reading into my words,” I teased back. “I was only asking what kind of food you’d want to eat. I think you’re trying to insert subtext into my very simple questions.”

“Are you sure about that? Your voice dropped an octave, and your eyes dilated. For someone who claims to be so awkward and incapable of depicting sexual attraction, you don’t seem to have a problem conveying it.”

“You think I’m attracted to you?” I was, but I was trying not to be obvious.

“Maybe avert your eyes the next time you’re watching a woman stand up. Staring with your mouth open is flattering, but doesn’t hide your attention. Not that I minded being the object of your very intense perusal. I was glad I didn’t accidentally flash my underwear, although then you really would have had a reason to stare.”

So she was flirting with me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Was she like this with everyone? It seemed like she was the type that enjoyed getting people wound up. And I was an easy target with my awkward behavior.

“Chicken?” I needed to change the subject before she realized how much of a doofus I was. And how much I wanted to know what color those panties were.

She laughed and stopped as we reached the back patio. “It’s not nice to call me names. We just met.”

“For dinner,” I turned and rolled my eyes dramatically, glad she let me off the hook. “Would you like chicken?”

“If you’re cooking, make what you’d like. I’m easy,” she shrugged.

“Is that so?” Oh my God. Did I pull off flirting back with her?

“I’d put almost anything in my mouth right now. I haven’t eaten since I woke up this morning.”

She’s not talking about your dick, idiot.

My mouth went dry as I looked at her lips. She bit the bottom one and looked into my eyes, and my hand froze on the knob of the back door.

“Well, we can’t have that,” I cleared my throat and glanced away briefly before my eyes were drawn back to hers.

Her stomach growling broke the trance, and I looked away as she laughed again. “Told you I was hungry.”

I pushed the door open and led her into the open living space. “Take a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

She continued to follow me and sat down on a stool at the kitchen island instead of staying in the living room.

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